The Evolution of Inflow Control Technology to Enhanced Oil Recovery in Thin Oil Rim: Principle, Perf

When:  Apr 19, 2023 from 06:30 PM to 08:00 PM (CET)
Associated with  Stavanger Section

The Evolution of Inflow Control Technology to Enhanced Oil Recovery in Thin Oil Rim: Principle, Performance and Case Studies

By Ismarullizam Mohd Ismail, PhD

Abstract:
Enhanced recovery techniques may potentially increase the recoverable reserves and production capability for economic operation of marginal fields. Despite the improved productivity and uplift in reserve recovery associated with current inflow control technology, the desire for stronger choke for unwanted gas and water potentially unlock more opportunities in thin oil rim reservoirs and furthermore reducing the associated CO2 emissions. Limited viscosity difference between light oil, water and gas are often a challenge for most autonomous and passive inflow control technologies to restricted water and gas when breakthroughs happen. The novel design of inflow control technology which are known as Autonomous Inflow Control Valve (AICV®) can distinguish the difference between light oil, water, and gas, and are able to strongly choke and shut the water and gas effluents zones once a breakthrough in occurs. The experimental flow loop results illustrate a significant improvement from conventional and autonomous ICD in light oil by exhibits at least 35% more restrictive of water and 55% more restrictive of gas in light oil. Case studies have proved that AICV® shows effective water and gas breakthrough control resulting in improved oil recovery and limiting the water and gas by better sweep along the wellbore section that were not previously being produced. Comprehensive guidelines on the due diligence of candidate well selection have been developed to improve the economics of thin oil rim development and reduce the associated emissions.

Abstract:
Enhanced recovery techniques may potentially increase the recoverable reserves and production capability for economic operation of marginal fields. Despite the improved productivity and uplift in reserve recovery associated with current inflow control technology, the desire for stronger choke for unwanted gas and water potentially unlock more opportunities in thin oil rim reservoirs and furthermore reducing the associated CO2 emissions. Limited viscosity difference between light oil, water and gas are often a challenge for most autonomous and passive inflow control technologies to restricted water and gas when breakthroughs happen. The novel design of inflow control technology which are known as Autonomous Inflow Control Valve (AICV®) can distinguish the difference between light oil, water, and gas, and are able to strongly choke and shut the water and gas effluents zones once a breakthrough in occurs. The experimental flow loop results illustrate a significant improvement from conventional and autonomous ICD in light oil by exhibits at least 35% more restrictive of water and 55% more restrictive of gas in light oil. Case studies have proved that AICV® shows effective water and gas breakthrough control resulting in improved oil recovery and limiting the water and gas by better sweep along the wellbore section that were not previously being produced. Comprehensive guidelines on the due diligence of candidate well selection have been developed to improve the economics of thin oil rim development and reduce the associated emissions.

Location

Scandic Stavanger City
Reidar Berges gate 7
Stavanger, 4013
Norway

Contact

Jamie Andrews

jaand@equinor.com